SterlingE55

I loved my Grand Prix GTX. You can pick up a GTP pretty cheap. Not as reliable as the normally aspirated cars but still quite reliable. I sold mine with 247k on it and I wish I never sold it. It was a great car, my only complaint was that it was fwd.

Hotrod-Realtor

Yeah, front wheel drive sucks. I have never driven a fwd that I liked. I understand they are cheaper to manufacturer and possibly lighter than rear wheel drive but they still suck.
Pontiacs are sportier than other GM's and an excellent choice.

220S

Sorry, it's just physics.

Size/weight makes a big difference on a freeway filled with blind soccer moms driving SUVs.

way2evil

Technology has come along way.

Bigger is not always better.

220S

Sorry we'll just agree to disagree.

Weight is weight. Sure modern smaller cars are built with safety in mind; multiple airbags, crumple zones, etc.. But given two modern cars with all the safety technology in them, the heavier and bigger one has the upper hand.

Objectionable

This is what I drive when the weather is bad and the gas mileage is only slightly worse .

Wish4_e55Wagon

In a SMART, you may very well survive the primary impact, that is if the bumper misses your head, but c'est la vie when the secondary impact comes when you ping pong down the road

W211 BEAST

No time to read all the (probably useless lol) info above. A friend of mine leased a Toyota Camry for $199 a month with 0 down. That is an awesomelly underrated car that is very roomy and very smooth. If you want a beater, that's what you should get IMO.

220S

Did they get the throttle control floor mat option for free? LOL

citylightva

I got a steal on an 05 Dodge Ram Hemi for my DD...Too bad I keep spending money to mod it too...hhmmm oh well still keeps miles off my AMG and it's fun to drive...

lbE55

I have a 2004 Civic Hybrid. It’s been a great car and has 125k miles on it.

The only reason that I purchased it was because it was eligible for the car pool lane sticker. While the state no longer issues the stickers, an existing sticker on a hybrid car may be eligible for transfer to the new owner of the car.

Seeing that you are in SoCal, consider investigating the purchase of a used hybrid with a car pool lane sticker.

The sticker may expire at the beginning of 2011 (unless they are extended once again).

itsmeek

Half of you guys dont' seem to be paying attention, he's looking for a car with good gas mileage. You can't lose w/that civic, but a hybrid would be my choice, especially here in the DC area where you can drive them in HOV lanes.

Roseylv

I will most definitely be looking into those stickers before pulling the trigger on any 2nd car, especially while spending time on the 405. Are all of the stickers expiring in 2011 or do I have to look for a specific type. I'm hoping that they extend the sticker program, although rumor has it that the carpool lane has gotten extremely congested.

Dericious

Definitely have gotten worse, but still think they are better on the 405 where they exist. But are you thinking of a used car? I didn't think you could get the stickers anymore, so i don't think you can get them on a new lease, but i could be mistaken.

lbE55

Car pool lanes have gotten more congested, but it is still better to be in the car pool lane than a regular lane.

Info on stickers here:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/decal.htm

rondocap

Personally I'd enjoy driving the AMG much more since you will be on the road a good bit..will definitely make it more enjoyable and not mundane. I have 120,000 miles on my AMG, and I must say that it really makes a boring trip exciting!

But I do see your point in gas mileage and putting a lot of miles on the car. Ha, why not get an AMG beater? C32's are pretty cheap nowadays, and the gas mileage isn't a civic: but it is better than the CLS!

yenlard55

buy an older model, well maintained lexus sedan. these cars are well built and if taken care of........last a long time.

K-A

I actually have a similar experience.

I drive lots of miles every week for work, and didn't want to beat the crap out of my nice car, so I searched for months for the perfect Highway Mileage Hog.

IMO Leasing, although seems perfect (under Warranty, new, who cares if it gets worn out, no headaches, etc.), I think it would come out to be more expensive and risky in the long run. If you do go over the Mileage, you're screwed, as well, depending on how strict they are, the wear and tear you'll get from all that driving, rock chips, etc. might rack you up some $$ when you give the car back.

My biggest priority for my DD is Safety, then Warranty/Reliability, then comfort, then Gas Mileage, then maybe looks/style.

After months and months of research, the Chevy Malibu came out on top for me:

Top Crash Test scores across the Board, and one of the Safest cars out right now period, IIHS "Top Safety Pick", in 2010 (or maybe it was 2009) comes with ESC Standard, and gets top whiplash scores as well (with the '10's new head-rests), and is amongst the best tested in the new "Roof Crush Test", which proved challenging for many cars you'd expect better from. Makes good use of some of the latest Ultra High Strength Steels, which are a benefit of having a car that was launched in 2008 (you'd be amazed at how much the "technology" of UHSS improves literally year by year)

Gets good MPG's, is pretty comfy, quiet and smooth (uses double plated glass like the M-B S-Class even), has GM's 5 Year/100K Miles Powertrain Warranty (amongst the best out there).

The interior is one of GM's best yet, which means that it still isn't essentially too great, however it's pretty good, and in top trim, is downright coddling and pretty luxurious for that price. As well, it's a good size, and feels pretty substantial when behind the wheel. You get a Tire Pressure Monitor, a countdown to Oil Changes (and it doesn't tell you to get it until like 10-12K+ Miles when doing all Highway miles), lumbar support, etc. etc. Lots of good stuff for stress free maintenance, and driving, considering the price.

You can get 'em with nice Warranty's, Certified, etc. for cheeap, even newer models are very affordable.

Being that it's a GM, you get a great bang for the buck, as prices are down on the cars, but the Company is actually churning out its best cars ever at the moment, and I have to say that I'm not essentially, nor have ever been a "GM fan".

The Civic is a good car, however for me, although for its size it is a very Safe car, I don't like driving in smaller cars like that, just my paranoia works against me. I need a car at least "Mid-Size", and over 3400 lbs, with very stellar Safety engineering to go along with that.

And it's a good looking car to boot, people I know ask me sometimes what kind of car it is, and my Dad recently was actually almost blown away by how cheap it was, and how good it looks.
(not mine):


Anyway, that's my long .02. Good luck with whatever you choose!

itsmeek

I think the new malibu is the nicest american economy car design ever. The new impala ain't so bad either. I've always loved gm's and have NEVER had problems with any of my gms (probably since they were all camaros or vettes).

K-A

Stunned I actually bought a "Chevy Sedan", but the new Malibu is really America's best yet in that segment especially. I think it's one of GM's most "home-run" modern designs period. GM seems to be really getting on their game with their newest designs, and me being not subjective to any manufacturer (I just call it as I see it), I can see myself warming up to the brand more and more.

And you're right, I was asked by many people "why are you getting a GM for a mileage hog"? My response was simple: "Based on my experiences and witnessings with affordable cars, I trust that you can beat the hell out of a GM more-so than most cars, and aside from the usual niggles, it'll take the abuse, and just keep running". Here's hoping that's true.

Carl Lassiter

A tin-can Civic in a crash, no thanks. Japanese cars always fold far easier than their European counterparts like say a Golf or 1-series. CLS/E is a far safer car anyway you cut it, especially with regard to active safety.

citylightva

The Malibu in LTZ with the V6 trim is a very nice midsize. I think the new Fusion's are also a good design. They're both great whatever cars, that happen to look and feel pretty nice, and if you spec them right they aren't a bad drive. IMO Ford's Sync is so much better than anyone else's multimedia integration it's amazing.

LSonDubz

I have a 2010 s4 on order & I'm in the process of purchasing an e55 as well. When one of my family members was selling their dodge neon, I laughed at first & then I snatched it up and it has been my daily driver for the past yr. The gas mileage is great and has really saved my ***. do what you have to do and don't look back! At first I was "eh" about the thought, but I'm happy everyday.

TopEndS62

get the civic as a daily driver........ I co-sign that decision

HadiLaw

Get a 2000 Civic for $3000.00

Personally, I've contemplated the same, but man, it's just not the same. I'd have to get a PHAT Sticker that reads, "My other car BLAH BLAH BLAH"

Just drive the other car!